Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle spotted in London

Pic:Meghan Markle
Royal correspondent(wp/es):

Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle has been spotted in London amid unconfirmed reports she is enjoying her first stay at Kensington Palace since their relationship was made public.

The American actress, who stars in hit US television series Suits, is believed to have travelled to the UK to spend time with the prince at his London home.

Reports in America said the 35-year-old broke off from filming to cross the Atlantic to meet up with the prince, telling bosses she had "something important to do".

She was pictured shopping on Kensington High Street before returning to the palace nearby.

Bookmakers are offering odds on when the pair will first be seen in public together, with Harry expected to be in the royal box at Twickenham stadium on Saturday for the match between England and South Africa.

He will lead the nation in remembrance on Friday as he lays a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum.

On Thursday, he made his first appearance since their secret relationship was made public, visiting Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance.

His relationship with Ms Markle, which began in the summer, was officially confirmed on Tuesday by his communications secretary, Jason Knauf, in a strongly-worded statement which described the "wave of abuse and harassment" she has experienced since rumours of the couple's tryst surfaced.

Mr Knauf revealed the depth of Harry's feelings for his girlfriend when he said in the statement that the Prince was "worried about Ms Markle's safety" and "deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her".

London work visas 'could combat Brexit effect in the capital'

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A groundbreaking plan to allow EU nationals to continue working in London through a capital-specific visa scheme has been proposed by business leaders.

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) wants employers in London to be able to sponsor skilled foreign workers for visas after Britain leaves the EU.

Under the scheme, EU workers would receive London-specific national insurance numbers that prevent them from working elsewhere in the country.

If they left or lost their job there would be a 60-day window to find another one before they are deported.

Sean McKee, LCCI policy director, said: “Our city would collapse without migrants. We need an immigration policy that is slightly different for London.

“The biggest issue by far [for businesses] is skills and staff. It is vital to London’s future that a degree of flexibility is applied if the government amends the UK immigration system.”

There are concerns among London's businesses that Brexit may lead to a shortage of skilled workers in some areas. 

EU nationals currently represent around 25 per cent of London’s workforce, according to a study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

If the current immigration rules for non-EU citizens are extended to apply to EU citizens then three quarters of the UK’s EU workforce would not meet the criteria to stay.

However, the government has not yet specified exactly what immigration rules will apply for EU citizens.

As well as a plan for welcoming new mrigant workers to London, the LCCI wants current foreign workers to be given assurances they can remain after Britain leaves the EU.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed on-going discussions about the possibility of a London work visa.

He previously said: “We are talking to business leaders, businesses, business representatives to see what we can do to make sure London doesn't lose out on the talent, the innovation, the partnership that has let us be the greatest city in the world.”

"The good news is the Government gets it. The good news is in all the conversations I've had with members of the Government, from the Chancellor to the Brexit Secretary to the Foreign Secretary and others in Government, I think they get it."

A spokesman for the mayor told the Financial Times this week he “has been pressing the government to develop a solution to the current failings in the visa system which create too many barriers to London’s businesses".

London voted overwhelming - by 59 per cent - to remain on June 26, prompting calls to declare the capital a separate state to the rest of the UK.

Mr Kahn has dismissed the idea of indpendence for London but in July he launched his ‘London is open’ campaign to encourage visitors and investment to the capital, with the support of leading figures from the world of art, business and sport.

TfL and London Underground staff finally agree on pay deal

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A long-running pay dispute between TfL  and Tube workers has come to end, with unions calling off some threats of Christmas strike action.

The deal, which was hailed a "massive victory” for Tube workers by union bosses, will grant them access pension schemes, pay rises in line with inflation every year until 2019. They will also get extra money for the launch of the Night Tube.

The RMT union described the agreement, reached after “strike action, campaigning and years of resolve”, as "groundbreaking".

It "turns the tide" on the wave of closures of final-salary pensions schemes across the industry, it said.

Mick Cash, RMT union general secretary, said a deal had been secured for “specific disputes with Tube Lines”.

He said: "The dispute over pensions goes back years. This victory proves once again that the RMT model of militant, industrial trade unionism, backed up by professional negotiations and campaigning, gets results where it matters.”

Other disputes are still ongoing.

More than 3,500 Tube station and other staff are currently ballotingfor strikes over jobs and the closure of ticket offices, with the results expected on Tuesday.

In a separate dispute, 400 members of the RMT union are balloting over whether to launch a campaign of industrial action on the Piccadilly Line.

The union said there had been a "wholesale breakdown" of industrial relations on the line, which serves Heathrow Airport.

TfL has been contacted for comment.